Life Imitates Art

In my upcoming novel Broken Melody, my main character Terri faces significant health challenges that test her resilience and force her to make difficult decisions. Like Terri in Broken Melody, I have faced some health challenges. Recently I underwent anterior cervical foraminectomy, discectomy and fusion from c3 to c6—surgery to remove bone spurs and damaged discs that were pinching nerves in my neck, then fusing four vertebrae together for stability.

I resisted the surgery at first. At age 40, I had walked away from Western medical practices after being treated for rheumatoid arthritis with increasingly harsh NSAIDs—anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen—that gave me an ulcer, and facing options like methotrexate, a cancer treating drug with side effects like mouth ulcers, hair loss and frequent nausea and vomiting or gold treatment, which is no longer used and causes side effects like kidney damage, bone marrow issues and liver problems.

Instead, I embraced yoga, energy healing and Blair method upper cervical—a specialized form of cervical chiropractic care that focuses on the precise and gentle misalignments in the upper neck. Alas, I felt great on the outside, nobody even suspected that on the inside my body was fighting a battle. But the bone osteophytes—bone spurs that developed to stabilize the degeneration in my spine—began to impinge on my nerves, pressing against them. Pain, tingling, muscle weakness. Then I no longer could lift my arms to pass a creamer across the table.

I researched and found the best spine surgeon. Based on my x-rays he recommended extensive revision surgery. My heart protested, but my brain recognized that if I don’t do something, the outcomes were more dire. He was patient with me, answering question after question. He even agreed to talk to my upper cervical doctor, the person who understood my spinal anatomy most intimately. Then the insurance caused roadblocks, insisting I go to an in-network physician who would not be available for months, causing increasing nerve damage.

Dr. Verma worked with me, figured out a solution, caring more about me as a patient than mere reimbursement. Before going into surgery, I grabbed his arm and told him that I envisioned him going in with his meticulous care and I loved his confidence. He laughed and said he always brings his A game. Before putting me under, he asked what kind of music I liked, because he likes the OR to have uplifting songs when they are working as a team. I closed my eyes and knew I was in the right place, at the right time, in the right hands.

I am 3 weeks post-op and I lifted both arms above my head for the first time in months. Thank you Dr. Verma.

KM After her sucessful surgery